Principal Planning Officer

DO NOT USE; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in England is seeking an experienced planning supervisor. The role involves supervising a team, advising on a range of planning applications, and preparing for public inquiries. Candidates should have a degree in town planning, relevant RTPI membership, and significant experience in planning and development management. This position offers opportunities for professional development in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in town planning or equivalent.
• Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervising a team of senior and planning officers.
• Preparing appeal statements and attending public inquiries.
• Advising on planning matters and preparing for planning committees.

Skills

Significant planning experience

Excellent working knowledge of current planning legislation

Clear communication skills

Presentation skills

Concise report construction

Education

Degree in town planning or equivalent

Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute

Chartered membership or eligibility for chartered membership

Job description

Job Purpose

• Supervising a team of senior and planning officers dealing with a wide range of planning applications which could include strategic applications and/or enforcement matters and other related works. Researching, considering and reporting on the full range of applications, development proposals and enforcement matters including major developments, under the Planning Acts and related legislation.
• Preparing appeal statements and/or witness statements, appearing at public inquiries/ hearings and/or Court and answering enquiries from applicants, their agents and other customers in relation to planning matters, advising other departments as required.
• Preparing for and attending planning committees. Attending resident and other stakeholder meetings when required. Deputising for the team leader in their absence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervision and training of planning and planning enforcement officers within a team.
• Inspecting plans, carrying out site visits and assessing development proposals and possible breaches of planning control, including monitoring.
• Providing advice to applicants and other customers, including on whether permission/consent is likely to be granted and how schemes may be altered so permission/consent may be granted, and negotiating complex planning applications and enforcement matters (often with a gross value of many millions of pounds and negotiating significant financial contributions through legal agreements such as under s106), considering alternatives and recommending the most appropriate course of action.
• Advising third parties about planning matters and the scope of planning control.
• Maintaining notes of site visits, meetings and records of actions.
• Drafting reports and recommending whether applications are granted or refused and whether enforcement action should be taken for submission to planning committee or for decision by the Director, Head of Development Management or Team Leader.
• Preparing statements and other materials for appeals and prosecutions for agreement by the Team Leader and/or Head of Development Management, and to appear as the Council's representative at inquiries, hearings and court.
• Representing the Development Management service at relevant planning committees including drafting and checking reports and agenda papers and attending pre-committee briefings as required with the Committee chair and other officers.
• Keeping applicants, complainants, colleagues, councillors and others informed of the position of current cases and to share knowledge where necessary.
• Checking applications for validation as part of providing a joined up service to applicants, giving the necessary advice to applicants and maintaining records.
• Assisting in the Customer Service Centre and ensuring the highest levels of customer service.

Qualifications

• A degree in town planning or equivalent.
• Licentiate membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent).
• Evidence of relevant continuous professional development.
• Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (or equivalent) or eligibility for chartered membership and evidence of relevant continuous professional development.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant planning experience, some of which should have been gained in a development management (including planning enforcement) environment.
• Excellent working knowledge of current planning legislation and practice.
• Able to communicate clearly and articulately with the spoken word.
• Able to give both informal and formal presentations and confident in communicating with a wide range of people at all levels.
• Able to construct concise, articulate reports presenting arguments clearly and persuasively.